One Suspect Killed, Resident Wounded In Lemon Grove Break-In

LEMON GROVE, CA – An East County home invasion escalated early Tuesday into a shootout that left a resident wounded, one of two intruders dead and the other at large.

Two men armed with pistols entered a house in the 2400 block of Edding Drive in Lemon Grove shortly before 2 a.m. and confronted the 44-year-old homeowner, Francisco Suarez Sr., and his 22-year-old son, Francisco Suarez Jr., according to sheriff's officials.

During an ensuing scuffle, one of the intruders shot the younger victim, whose father then returned fire.

One of the housebreakers died at the scene, and his accomplice fled, Lt. Kenn Nelson said.

Deputies arrived to find Francisco Suarez Jr. in his front yard, suffering from a gunshot wound. Medics took him to a hospital for treatment of trauma that was not considered life-threatening.

The older victim was unhurt, Nelson said.

The motive for the crime was unclear, but the location apparently was not random, according to investigators.

"We believe this was a targeted attack ...," Nelson told news crews.

The dead man's name was not immediately available.

By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock